Unnaturally Natural

Alexander - Rude Awakening

I feel the cold on my skin and the hunger within. That feeling, which only grew as the smell of blood reached my nose. I am running, running after that smell, that intoxicating smell. The thrill of tearing into the flesh of helpless prey. The flesh of a human.

Alexander awoke from his dream in a cold sweat. He felt the beast's claws and fangs receding. His heart was hammering in his chest; it felt like it might explode. That was the second time he had that dream, the second time he had such a strong desire to kill. A desire that almost caused him to change in his sleep. The urges were nothing new; He had been struggling against them his entire life. However, he had never imagined that they would become so strong. 

He sat on the edge of his bed, clutching his stomach. The beast's hunger was overwhelming. His stomach was growling as if the creature was telling him to eat. He knew well what would happen if he ignored the beast's wishes. He could already feel it starting to happen. His mind was swimming, and it became a struggle to focus. All he could hear was the screaming in his head. Feed...Feed...FEED! 

He wasted no time, quickly got out of his bed, and rushed to the front door. He looked out the small window beside the door but saw nothing. Desperate to find food, he stood dead silent and listened carefully to the sounds of the forest.

Off in the distance, He heard some twigs break and the familiar sound of hooves on tough dirt. It was the only big game in the area, elk. Within the natural mountain wall, which bordered the Northern region, the elk were exceptionally large and could easily feed an entire family.

 Alexander let out a sigh of relief and rushed back into his room. He grabbed his bow and quiver, then left his house, quickly yet quietly. 

Luckily the herd was not far from his house. In the state he was in, he would not be able to track and hunt as he usually did. He was still careful not to make any noise; if he scared them off, his fate would be sealed.

Alexander stalked his prey like a true hunter. Even though his mind was swimming and he could not focus, he was still an excellent hunter. He did not need to think when hunting; he had been hunting for food his entire life. It had become second nature. 

After coming within range of his prey, he quietly knocked an arrow. Drawing the bowstring tight, he slowed his breathing and steadied his aim. His target was a young buck that would offer plenty of food. He was aiming at the buck's heart. He inhaled deeply, and slowly let out his breath, and simultaneously let go of the bowstring.

His aim was true, and the arrow hit its mark, dead center. The elk took one great leap forward and dropped dead. The sudden death of one member spooked the rest of the herd, causing them to flee.

Alexander drew another arrow and walked over to his prey, confirming the kill. The smell of fresh blood now filled the air. The fragrance reached the beast within, and it started to stir. Alexander was running out of time; he had to get out of the open soon. The beast he fought within was not the only danger. The smell of blood was sure to attract other predators.

Alexander pulled his arrow from the carcass and took hold of one antler and d**g it back to his house. He was glad he found the buck so close. If it had been any further, he would have been forced to eat it raw. Being part werewolf prevented him from getting sick; however, he always preferred cooked meat, as it tasted better. 

After making it back to his house, he left the elk carcass outside and rushed in to get a skinning knife. While scavenging through the large chest at the foot of his bed, He felt the beast; It was fighting harder than ever before. After finally finding a knife, he ran back to the carcass outside and quickly severed one of the front legs up to the shoulder. 

With his prize in hand, he rushed back into his house, removing the skin from the front leg as he walked. He immediately got a fire started in the fire pit. While the fire grew, he prepared a spit for the meat. 

The beast's hunger started getting to him, and the pleasant aroma from the cooking meat was not helping. He sat on a small stool close to the fire, rotating the meat. He, or rather the beast, started getting impatient. Just a little longer. He thought, tapping his feet. After the longest minute of his life, he took the meat off the fire. No longer being able to control his urges, he immediately tore into the cooked meat. 

Even though the freshly cooked meal was burning his mouth, he did not stop. The pain only lasted a few moments, but he knew to take a human life would haunt him forever. He finished the whole leg in a minute. His mouth was sensitive from the burning, but it had already started to heal. The beast was finally satisfied, and it no longer fought against him. 

Now that his urges were satisfied, his senses slowly returned, and he could focus once again. He exhaled loudly. "well, that was no fun." It had been a long time since he had such a close call. Not since the last time I transformed. He thought back to that horrifying day, but his thoughts were interrupted by a noise just outside his house.

He had been so consumed by hunger; he had not noticed it. He listened carefully to the surrounding area and paid close attention to the smells for any hint of what the noise might be. It is a human male, and he is near. He grew calmer once he identified the smell. Fresh berries with faint traces of blood, Dara! 

"Alex, are you there?" 

"Yeah, I'm here Dara,"

He quickly walked to the door to greet his friend and invite him in.

"Why is there a dead elk at your door?" Dara pointed at the carcass, "Are you trying to scare children away?" 

"No, I was hoping it would scare you away," Alexander joked. 

"Oh, I see how it is," Dara laughed, and they shook hands. 

Dara had been his closest and only friend since he was ten. Dara often came around to his house to check on him, and to bring some supplies from the city.

"Why are you here, Dara?" he asked while he shook Dara's hand, "Not that I don't want you here, but you usually don't come until the end of the month,"

"I've come because I need to talk to you,"

Dara had an urgent look in his eyes, there was something important he had to say. He quickly walked in and sat down on one of the chairs in the main room. When he walked past him, Alexander noticed he had a roll of paper in his hand.

"I'm guessing it has something to do with that," Alexander said, pointing at the rolled-up paper. 

"Yes," He confirmed, tightening his grip on the paper, "I took this off a currier in Urbemontis." 

"You stole from a currier?" Alexander asked, rubbing his temples, "Why would you do that?"

"I didn't just take a letter from a currier at random," He said waving the paper in the air, "I overheard him talking, and from what I could hear, this letter was meant for the Grandmaster,"

"The Grandmaster? Are you sure?"

  "Not at first, no. But after reading it for myself, I have no doubt." 

"Well?" He said, motioning for Dara to continue, "what does it say?" 

Dara unrolled the paper in his hands and read it.

"Grandmaster," He swallowed, "I humbly thank you for agreeing to send your support to deal with this city's supernatural problem. However, I fail to see why you have chosen to send only one. Surely one will not be enough to solve this city's problem." He paused to look at Alexander, looking for any sign of what he was thinking, "I do not question your choices; I only wish to know your reasoning for this choice. Sincerely Lord Malik."

Alexander felt a lump in his throat. It was the worst news possible. If the Grandmaster was sending a Huntsman to Urbemontis, it meant he had his sights set on the northern mountain region. 

"This isn't good," He started, running his hands through his snow-white hair, "Huntsmen, here? Urbemontis is the last safe city. The forests of the northern mountains are the only place where supernaturals can find refuge from the ruthless Huntsmen. If they establish a foothold here, there will be nowhere to go. We have to do something."

Everything Alexander said was true. The Huntsmen had established themselves in every region, Boudicca. There was no province their influence did not reach, no lord they could not manipulate. For many decades, the cities of the northern mountains had been the only safe cities. It was the single region they did not have in the palms of their hands, and it was all because of Urbemontis's ruler; or rather, it's previews ruler. After the new lord ascended to the throne, it was bound to change.

Even though one Huntsman did not seem to be a threat, it was not that simple. A lone Huntsman is no threat to a community of supernaturals; however, the first Huntsman who are sent to a city are sent to strengthen their relations with that city. After they build a stable relationship with a city and its people, many more follow, and they establish an outpost.

Traditionally, Huntsmen would be sent to a city in groups of two or three, but Urbemontis was an especially unique case. The northern mountain region was home to the largest werewolf pack in Bodicca, and Urbemontis was at its core. The residents have never had a problem with the wolves, so they never sought help.

"We don't have to worry, though, right?" Dara asked reading over the letter once again, "It's not like you are doing anything wrong,"

"I wish it was that easy," Alexander sat back in his chair, hopelessly looking at the ceiling, "The Mystic Huntsmen don't exist to do just by the world; their sole purpose is to kill supernaturals." 

"So, what are we going to do? We are the first to know, isn't there a way we can stop, or even delay, them from coming here?" Dara asked.

"I don't know. Huntsmen are persistent, if nothing else. I doubt there's anything the two of us can do to stop them." 

In the past, many cities had tried to stop the Huntsmen from coming to their city. Some even threatened to wage war, but after a while, even they submitted. 

"What if we use this as an opportunity to send a message," Dara said, standing up from sheer excitement. "We could kill him. If their attempt at strengthening relations fails, they will think they are not welcomed here and move on," 

"That wouldn't work. If a Huntsman dies in Urbemontis by the hands of a supernatural, it will only prove that the city needs them. I've said it once, and I will say it again; there is nothing we can do," Alexander argued.

He had lived in the mountain regions his entire life, and he never had to worry about the Huntsmen. Even though they were still dangerous, they never came near Urbemontis. But now that they have been invited by the new lord, everything would change. Any other time a Huntsman would be killed, and it would be no problem. But if a Huntsman died while under invite, the city would be labeled as dangerous, and many more would come.

"What if we don't need to stop them?" Dara said, pacing back and forth, "We are only two, and we can't do anything, but what if the people turn against the Huntsman?"

"I think you might be onto something, Dara. In other cities, the only reason they were able to build strong relations was that the people approved what they were doing. But here it might be more difficult. The people here are so used to supernaturals they don't consider many of them to be threats, so they will already be skeptical."

  Alexander and Dara had stumbled onto a possible solution. With their excitement, they had grown loud and ecstatic. But even though they had a solution that might work, there was still a problem

"We just have to give the people a reason to run the Huntsman out of town," Dara said.

The two of them sat in silence for a moment, both thinking of a possible solution. Dara had taken a small notebook and pencil that was fastened to his side and started frantically writing. Alexander wondered what would be heinous enough for the city to turn against the Huntsman.

With relations between the Huntsmen and Urbemontis as tense as they were, there was no doubt that he would be careful not to disturb the peace. It would be too difficult to frame him or trick him into doing something that might upset the people. But what if we don't need him to do anything?

The idea forming was radical yet possible. It had the potential to solve their problem for good.

"What if," Alexander snapped his finger, "we can convince the people that the Huntsmen cause more problems than they solve?"

"That sounds like it could work," Dara said, closing his notebook, "but if we don't have proof, I doubt they would listen to us." 

"We don't need proof. It will take coordination with some supernaturals, and we need to spread the rumor in Urbemontis. It won't be easy at all, but if we do it right, it should force the Huntsmen to leave forever," 

"Spreading the rumor is easy enough, but how will we get other supernaturals to help us?" Dara said, tapping the leather cover of his notebook.

"You can start spreading the word in the city. I will see what I can do about getting the help we need. After I am done, I will meet you in Urbemontis." Alexander said, walking to the door.

He was growing confident. The more he thought his plan over, the more it seemed that it would work.

"If you believe it will work, I trust your judgment," Dara said, refastening his notebook to his side, "I guess I should go then. The earlier I begin to spread the word, the better the chances are of this working," He said, meeting Alexander at the door, "I will meet you at the city gate, four days from today, an hour after sunrise. You should be done by then, right?" 

After Dara had disappeared in the distance, Alexander walked to his bedroom. He pulled out a small chest from under his bed and opened it. In the chest was a pair of boots, long pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and a small dagger. He quickly emptied out the chest and got ready to travel. 

He fastened the dagger to his lower back. Before he left his house, he looked at his bow, wondering if he would need it. I am not much of a marksman. It will only prove to be a disadvantage if conflict does arise. He thought, deciding to leave his bow behind. He left his house with a single target in mind, a member of the Beast King's pack.

The pack members were the only way to get to the Alpha, the Beast King himself. Alex knew it would not be easy to find a pack member during the day. During the day, most of the werewolves spent their time hiding. They only came out during the night, and even then, they still kept to themselves.

The Beast King and his pack were all werewolves. Each one was able to control the beast's blood which coursed through their veins. Many remained in their wolf form, refusing to turn back, claiming the wolf was their pure form. Some were unable to turn back and were doomed to live out their days as wolves. The pack numbered in the thousands. Each member went to the Beast King in hopes of finding a sense of belonging. It was such a sense that allowed his pack to grow at such tremendous speed. Unlike guilds and factions, members of the Beast King's pack were treated like family. 

Alexander smelled the air, trying to pick up the scent of a wolf. He did not think he would find one close to his house, but to his surprise, he found the smell he was looking for. It was a female who was around nineteen years of age, just like him. She was two miles north from his house, unmoving. Alexander knew he would not be able to sneak up on her. A werewolf's senses were second to none, and at the slightest sign of danger, she would flee or try to kill him. The only thing he could do was approach slowly. 

Alexander walked towards the she-wolf, keeping his senses sharp, knowing well, werewolves were not the only creatures roaming the forest. Luckily it was already a few hours past sunrise, lessening the chances of encountering any real threats. Even though he was still a mile away, she still posed a threat. A single howl would surround Alexander with enemies. Even though he was far stronger than a regular werewolf, he would have no chance when outnumbered ten to one. 

Alexander continued slowly walking towards the she-wolf. When he came within half a mile of her, he stopped next to a tree. She had started moving. Alexander stood dead silent and paid close attention to the sounds of the surrounding area. He heard a light breeze blowing through the trees, a small stream dribbling over rocks nearby. Off in the distance, he heard sticks breaking, heavy breathing, and large paws hitting the ground. She was running towards him. 

He walked to a small clearing to his right. It was the best choice under the circumstances. In a clearing, the odds would be in his favor. He didn't want to fight her, but he was unsure if he would be able to convince her to listen before she tried to part his head from his shoulders.

Alexander turned his attention back to the she-wolf and noticed she had started slowing down. She was now within a hundred yards and had begun circling him. It seemed she realized something was not right. 

"I must speak with you," Alexander said aloud, waiting for an answer, but none came. 

"I wish you no harm," He said louder.

He took his dagger and dropped it at his feet. A single dagger would be useless against a werewolf, but he wanted to prove that he meant her no harm. A few moments after dropping the dagger, there came a rustle from the bushes behind him. He slowly turned around, careful not to make any sudden movements. She was standing fifty yards away, in her wolf form, on her hind legs. Her fur was pure white. Before that moment, Alexander had never seen a white wolf before. She was truly a sight to behold. 

"What are you?" Said the white-wolf, her voice fine as silk.

Alexander was surprised by the melodious voice coming from the wolf. He had grown used to rough, raspy voices when it came to werewolves, even the females. But this one was different. He snapped back when he realized she was waiting for an answer.

"Never thought a wolf would ask a human such question," He replied sarcastically. 

"You are no human. Every instinct in my being screams of danger when I look at you," she said, her smooth voice turning course with anger.

She seemed to be distressed. The hairs on her back were standing on end, and she was baring her teeth. Alexander could tell her muscles were tense, she was prepared to strike at any moment. There was no doubt in his mind, she was afraid. 

"You are right, I'm not human," 

"I already know that," she growled impatiently. 

"I am also a wolf-" Alex started but got cut off. 

"You are no wolf, there is something else about you. You are holding something back," she roared. 

"As I was saying," he continued, "I am a wolf, but I am also a vampire," 

The white-wolf stood in silence, her gaze never breaking away from him. She made no attempt to hide the doubt in her eyes. She did not believe him. He did not expect she would, hybrids were incredibly rare, so much so that they were thought to be a myth. 

"You don't believe me, do you?" Alexander asked. 

"Can't say that I do," She confirmed.

"That's not important, I must speak with you. Will you listen?" 

"I am still here, am I not?" She answered, still anxious.

"I have news that must reach the Beast King." 

"And what makes you think I will deliver this message?" 

"If you hear what I have to say, I am certain you will deliver it," 

"What news would be so important that it should reach the Beast King's ears?" The white-wolf said, almost mockingly.

Alexander proceeded to explain what he had learned earlier. He told her about the Huntsman in the letter, and of his plan to deal with the Huntsman. At first, she believed the only way to send a message to the Mystic Huntsmen, would be to kill the one who was sent to the city. After he explained the possible consequences, she seemed to come around to his way of thinking. 

"I see. I shall tell the Beast King of this news, and of your plan. I am unsure if he will think it is worth his time. Still, he might be interested to hear of a Huntsman who will be snooping around his territory," She said after Alexander had pleaded his case. 

"Thank you, I will await his answer. My home is a mile and a half south from here. I will be waiting there until I receive his reply." 

"I will inform you of his answer as soon as it is given," the white-wolf said as she went back on all fours.

She walked past Alexander. She was so close to him, he had to fight to urge to touch her snow-white fur. After she was gone, he picked up his dagger and walked home. It had become a waiting game, but he knew it would not take too long. He was sure the threat of Huntsmen would inspire haste.   

Late that night, Alexander laid awake, waiting. He was waiting for something specific. It wasn't until he heard the first howl that he was satisfied and went to sleep. It has begun